Prof O’Brien, head of anatomy at TCD, said she became alarmed when she noticed a jar of tablets with the brand name 19 NOR. It listed an anabolic steroid called androstenedione among its ingredients.

She said this was despite carrying a label which stated: “This product contains no anabolicsteroid.”

Prof O’Brien said she believed such a product should be banned as it could cause harmful effects to some users.

Speaking on RTE radio, she added: “It is well known in the gyms that if you want to bulk up this is what you take, not realising that they can get testicular infertility, tumours of the liver, increased risk of coronary heart disease, increased aggression and as a result of when they stop steroids there’s an increase risk of suicide clinically.”